Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 5th, 2024. Thursday already? Time flies! We're diving deep into reviews today, with analyses of Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll then cover the day's noteworthy new releases and conclude with our usual sales updates. Let's begin!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

Resurrecting dormant franchises is the latest trend, mirroring Hollywood's practices. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a brief remake, leads to a fresh adventure this millennium. A new entry presents the challenge of balancing faithfulness to the original with modern appeal. Emio – The Smiling Man retains the style of the recent remakes, resulting in a curious blend. The visuals are top-notch, and the narrative surpasses the limitations of 90s Nintendo titles, yet the gameplay feels distinctly retro.

A student's death, marked by a smiling face, unearths unsolved murders from 18 years prior, introducing the Emio urban legend. The Utsugi Detective Agency is called in to unravel the mystery. Gameplay involves exploring scenes, interrogating suspects, and connecting clues, reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigation segments. The investigative process might feel tedious or frustrating to some players, with certain logical connections lacking clear guidance.

Despite some story criticisms, the narrative is engaging, suspenseful, and well-crafted. Certain plot points may not resonate universally, but revealing them would spoil the experience. The story's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and the pacing is generally well-maintained.

Emio – The Smiling Man is a departure from typical Nintendo fare. The mechanics closely adhere to the originals, which might be a drawback for some. While the plot is mostly excellent, occasional pacing issues and unsatisfying resolutions are minor flaws. Nevertheless, it's a highly enjoyable mystery adventure.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is accumulating a solid collection of TMNT games. Splintered Fate offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and roguelite elements, similar to Hades. Playable solo or with up to four players (local or online), the multiplayer enhances the experience considerably. The core gameplay loop involves combat, tactical dodging, perk acquisition, and permanent upgrades. Death sends you back to the lair to restart.

While not groundbreaking, Splintered Fate is a solid entry for TMNT fans. The well-implemented multiplayer is a plus. Those unfamiliar with the franchise might find superior roguelites on the Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a crowded genre.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a playful, experimental food art experience. It's ideal for those who enjoy sandbox games and food-related themes. The Switch version, however, has shortcomings. The core gameplay involves interacting with food items in various stages, featuring unique music and over-the-top elements. Progression unlocks more food and interactive options.

The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing. Performance compromises are evident, with noticeable load times.

Nour is recommended for fans of food, art, and interactive apps. The Switch version isn't optimal, but its portability is a plus.

-Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a remaster of the 2004 visual novel, serving as an excellent entry point into the Fate universe. It's a lengthy experience (55+ hours), offering exceptional value for its price. Improvements include English language support, 16:9 widescreen support, and enhanced visuals for modern displays. Touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition.

The game runs well on Switch and Steam Deck.

-Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)

This twin pack includes TOKYO CHRONOS and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos, both originally VR titles. TOKYO CHRONOS follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, dealing with lost memories and murder. ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos boasts superior production values, including writing, voice acting, and characters. It transcends the visual novel format with interactive elements.

The Switch version has some camera movement performance issues, but touchscreen support and rumble functionality enhance immersion.

-Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

A Fitness Boxing game featuring Hatsune Miku and her songs.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A challenging but rewarding platformer.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

A combination rhythm game and bullet hell shooter.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

Another Hydlide version for dedicated fans.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

A gallery shooter from 1988.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Notable sales include No Man's Sky.

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th

That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, and sales information. Thanks for reading!